What is lyrical gangster?

Lyrical gangster is a term used to describe a rapper or songwriter who writes lyrics that are focused on portraying a lifestyle or persona of a gangster. These lyrics often describe violence, drug use, and other criminal activities. The term 'lyrical gangster' was popularized in the 1990s in the genre of dancehall music, which combined traditional reggae styles with hip-hop and dance beats. One of the most famous lyrical gangsters in this genre is Shaggy, who released a song called "Lyrical Gangsta" in 1995. However, the term has also been used to describe rappers in other genres who adopt a gangster persona in their lyrics and music videos. Some critics argue that the glorification of gangster lifestyles in music can be harmful and contribute to societal problems such as violence and drug addiction.